BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Chris Gayle’s exile from West Indies is likely to continue for the two Twenty20 Internationals against England next month in London.
The left-handed opener, whose big-hitting reputation has earned him work as a Twenty20 specialist in league around the World, is not eligible for selection to the West Indies’ Twenty20 squad.
“Gayle is not eligible for the T20 squad because of the WICB’s selection policy,” West Indies Cricket Board Media & Communications Manager Imran Khan told the CMC Sports Wire. “Since he did not play in the Caribbean T20 Championship, he is not eligible for selection to the West Indies T20 squad.” Gayle has been embroiled in a bitter dispute with the WICB, following highly critical remarks he made on a Jamaican radio talk show.
He subsequently missed the home series against India, although he held a face-to-face meeting with WICB and team officials. was scheduled to meet WICB Chief Executive Officer Ernest Hilaire for a second round of talks, and but no firm date has been set yet.
“The WICB is willing to meet with him, but it will not happen until after the negotiations with the West Indies Players’ Association are completed,” said Khan.
The WICB and WIPA will start negotiations on Monday to conclude a new Memorandum of Understanding.
Negotiations have been set to take place over a two-week period up to August 19.
Gayle has not represented the West Indies team since the World Cup in March.
